The shimmering leaves of the quaking aspen, the quintessential Colorado tree, turn to glowing shades of yellow and gold this time of year, here in the Rocky Mountains. The Native American myth told about the reason the leaves shake as they do in the wind is that the god Manito asked all trees to bow down before him, to show respect, but the aspen tree refused to do so, saying it was more beautiful than any of the other trees, and so Manito declared that whenever he blew through the forest on the slightest breeze, the aspen would forever quake in fear. […]

DON’T WALK! ACTION TIP FOR WRITERS:

By Elizabeth English

Writers should try to avoid using the simple verb, “walk”, whenever possible! Why have your character just walk into a room or across the road? It tells the reader almost nothing about the character’s current mood, personality, intent, feelings, or how he or she presents him- or herself, or how anyone might react to the character. Here’s a chance to show the reader more about the character, and to set up a sense of who this person is, and what to expect! A super-confident person may saunter or swagger or stroll across a room; a person with a lack of purpose may amble, mosey, shuffle or shamble in; an angry person may march or clomp across the room; a person with ill-intent may sneak, stalk or stomp along the street, and so on. Use your options, and get out that Thesaurus to help characterize the actions and reactions in your story!

All of the exceptionally talented & creative 2014 Moondance winners are to be congratulated on their wonderful projects submitted to the film festival. Bravo & brava! Applause & big hugs all around! You will find that doors will open for you as a Moondance winner. Please let us know of your successes!

• If you were unable to attend the gala event, networking with people from the US & around the world, and want to receive your Moondance star award & official certificate, pleaseGO HERE FOR THE ORDER FORM.The award & certificate are free, only the postage to mail it to you is needed. This offer expires on November 30, 2014.

Giancarlo Esposito, multi-award-winning actor, has graciously offered to conduct 3 private, one-on-one consultations, one each day at Moondance, to actors who are very serious about pursuing their craft in film, television & stage, and who will have work prepared to review, critique and finesse so that he would have the ability to give you some valuable direction and insider tips. Half-hour consultations are $500, and full one-hour consultations are $1000, available only at the box office during the festival. Please see festival director, Elizabeth English, to review your credits for potential selection of those 3 lucky actors who will be selected for this very exclusive consultation opportunity! […]

Moondance International Film Festival is now fully active for this season’s call for entries.

A listing of your script on InkTip so that producers and reps can find you. InkTip helps writers sell their scripts and get representation. Producers have made more than 200 films from scripts and writers they found through InkTip!